Do you request a female doctor/nurse to do your smear test?

[catscan]

Just that really.

[Namethecat]

In my surgery doctors do not give smear tests - the nurses do that and there the nurses are female.

[BeyondThePage]

I prefer a woman, but am fine if it turns out to be a man.

Last one was a male doc who had a female trainee(?) with him - he said - "you're overdue a smear, you can make an appointment at the desk, or you can pop up on the table and I'll do it now if you like".

I liked his "air of efficiency", there was effectively a "chaperone " present - so felt completely comfortable.

[xTinkerhellx]

At my GPs anything that requires my getting half naked has to have a chaperone, even if it's performed by a female Dr.

So all my smears, coil insertions/removals, bartholins abscess examinations are done with two people staring at my nether regions.

I guess they've had issues in the past and are covering their backs, but makes it slightly more uncomfortable for me!

[catscan]

For the people who don't request, but assume the nurse will be female, what would you do if you turned up and a male nurse was doing that shift?

[lalalalyra]

I actually prefer the male nurse at our surgery. The female nurse isn't as gentle.

Haven't actually ever had the guts to phone and ask for him specifically though as that just sounds weird.

[YellowMakesMeSmile]

No, I'm happy that the service is provided likewise maternity care. Didn't bother me in the slightest to have a male midwife.

[catscan]

In case it's relevant, all the intimate examinations I've had by a man have also had a female chaperone present. I think that's standard practice? At one I had three student nurses standing around gawping, that was probably the most awkward

[Beamur]

From previous experience I'd ask for a nurse rather than a doctor. I had a male (and lots of female ) midwife and he was great so I'm less fussed by what gender they are. The only time the Dr did my smear was a disaster! In the end the nurse stepped in and did it.

[SumAndSubstance]

I always book with a specific nurse at my surgery, who is lovely, for anything like that, so in a sense I do request a female, but actually it's more important to me that I feel comfortable with the individual who's doing it. Theoretically that could be a man, but it's more likely to be a woman, I would think!

[Beamur]

The last couple of smears I've had (female nurse) they all asked me if I wanted an additional chaperone present too.

[NoodlesLivesHere]

No. We only have female nurses at our practice so it's never crossed my mind. However if it was a GP doing the test I'd ask for either of our male doctors over the female doctor because I don't feel comfortable with her at all.

[melj1213]

Nope, I understand that some people are more comfortable but for me I just want a professional who is trained to do the procedure and really couldn't care less which gender they are.

[dragoncave]

All the nurses in my practice are female

[lunar1]

No, I'd just be happy to get someone competent. Unlike the last three smears I have had which have all needed repeating.

[catscan]

About 65/35 to not caring so far.

Does anyone know if there are stats on this? I can't find any online.

[DearSergio]

I would request a woman, although previously I had to have a biopsy done due to abnormal cells, and that was done by a man. It was extremely difficult and the only reason I got through it was that all the other medical staff were female and incredibly reassuring

[elliejjtiny]

All the nurses at our Dr surgery are female. I've been examined by male obs/gynae drs though. I actually preferred it as they have to have a female chaperone who sat by my head and told me I was being brave.

[JacquesHammer]

It doesn’t bother me however women should always have the option to request a female HCP (as should males to request male HCPs)

[Username12345]

Yes.

[PinkAvocado]

If our surgery didn’t have all female nurses then I would specifically request a female. I’d also ask to see a female gp for anything similar.

[Bigpizzalover]

I had a male do mine, he did ask if I wanted a female chaperone but to be honest there isn’t any way of protecting your dignity when someone’s looking around down there so I don’t really care. I had both male and female consultants in my pregnancy and needed a few internal examinations done by both. I just wanted them over and done with so didn’t mind who was doing them.

Can totally see why women prefer a female especially if they are anxious as women can truly relate.

[AnthonyJoshuasMrs]

Pre DC I think I’d have been mortified to turn up at the appointment and find a male HCP. But with age and experience behind me I would happily have any qualified person regardless of their sex.

[failingatlife]

All the smears I have had have been done by a female. Never had to ask In my practice both nurses are female & when you phone you are booked with one of them. Years ago I used to go to a fpc none of the staff were male. I think I assumed most places would be the same.

[HeadBasher2018]

I would assume it would always be a female but if it was a man I would mumble an apology and leave.

My smears are not a ‘pop up on the table and get it done’ job though, they are excruciatingly agonisingly painful and take multiple attempts and a long time.

[MrsPreston11]

My practice nurse is female and I adore her. She makes smears almost a nice occasion and is always amazing with kids vaccinations etc too.

But my male GP once did a swab for me and that wasn’t awkward or anything so I think I’d be fine with a male doing a smear. But I’d be sad if it meant our lovely nurse was gone.